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The Federal Government of Nigeria says it is not discussing debt forgiveness with China, noting that Beijing is willing to lend Nigeria more money and invest more in the economy of Nigeria.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, stated this on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.
Nigeria has been making proposals for debt forgiveness at the United Nations General Assembly for some years now but this hasn’t been achieved.
At the recent 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, pushed for reform of the international financial system to include “comprehensive debt relief measures, to enable sustainable financing for development”.
Asked whether any of the multilateral or bilateral loans obtained by Nigeria was cancelled at this year’s UNGA, the foreign minister said, “Under President Obasanjo, we benefited from debt forgiveness. It’s a process; it’s not just an event, it takes time but you have to be there, you have to be present, and then these things happen, they don’t happen overnight.
“The effect that we felt the last time we had debt forgiveness did not just happen with one UNGA.”
According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria’s external debt stock as of March 2024 was N56trn ($42bn) while domestic debt stood at N65trn ($46.29).
China is one of the lenders of Nigeria. Asked whether Nigeria is in talks with Beijing for debt relief considering that Tinubu met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping of late, the minister said that was not the case.
Tuggar said, “No, that is not what we are discussing with China. And when it comes to the issue of debt, look at the debt-to-GDP ratio of Nigeria, we are not even among the critically indebted nations.
“When you talk about the debt of a developing country, Nigeria is not in that sort of precarious situation. As a matter of fact, China is prepared to lend more, China is prepared to invest more in Nigeria in terms of infrastructure development and other things.”
The minister also said Nigeria would join BRICS+, a nine-member economic and political force, at the right time.
As of December 2004, Nigeria owed a total of $36bn (which amounted to N4.8trn at the exchange rate of N134/$1). $30.84bn of the country’s external debt at the time was borrowed from the Paris Club, alongside other bilateral and multilateral facilities.
The Paris Club is an official group of money lenders formed in 1956 with headquarters in Paris, France. Nigeria borrowed funds for developmental projects from members of the group such as the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands and eight other countries. Some of the funds borrowed were long before Obasanjo’s administration.
President Olusegun Obasanjo’s debt relief campaign in 2005 saw the Paris Club grant Nigeria a debt relief of $18bn out of the $30.8bn outstanding. As an exit strategy, Nigeria paid Paris Club creditors $12.4bn which represented $6.3bn regularisation of arrears and a balance of $6.1bn.
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China-Nigeria trade relations has hit $22.5 billion in 2023, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai has disclosed.
This is as the Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas said the National Assembly would deploy the necessary legislative framework to support the implementation of China-Nigeria agreements.
China-Nigeria recently signed 13 new agreements during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to China.
The duo spoke at the weekend during the reception in Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Dunhai said: “In 2023, bilateral trade between our two countries reached $22.5 billion. Our practical cooperation has achieved fruitful results in areas such as infrastructure, investment, trade, agriculture and green economy, covering projects for the aviation, on the land and in the sea.
“The projects have brought tangible benefits to both Chinese and Nigerian people, and provided concrete support for Nigeria’s social and economic development.”
The envoy stressed that “Nigeria remains China’s largest project contracting market, the second largest export market, third largest trading partner, and a major investment destination in Africa.”
He added that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, both countries have been enjoying a long-standing friendship, with strengthened high-level engagements, consolidated political mutual trust, deepened people-to-people exchanges, and fruitful outcomes of practical cooperation.
On his part, Speaker Abass assured the Chinese envoy that the National Assembly would put in place necessary laws to ensure the implementation of the agreements.
He said: “The National Assembly would deploy the necessary legislative framework to support the implementation of these agreements.”
The Speaker also revealed that the House of Representatives would be engaging with its Chinese counterpart as part of the efforts to explore more opportunities.
He said: “I am pleased to announce that the House of Representatives will be actively engaging through our China-Nigeria Parliamentary Friendship Group.
“This initiative aims to explore various areas for collaboration and cooperation, focusing on sectors such as trade, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.
“By learning from China’s experience in leveraging its legislature for national advancement, we can better position ourselves to address the challenges facing our own country.
“As we look forward to future endeavors together, let us reaffirm our commitment to enhancing cooperation between Nigeria and China. It is imperative that we work hand-in-hand to address common challenges while seizing opportunities for growth that benefit both nations.”
The Speaker also explained that the recent agreements reached during this forum with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signify a renewed commitment to strengthening our bilateral ties.
“These agreements will pave the way for further investments in critical areas such as energy production and technology transfer—areas that are vital for Nigeria’s sustainable development.
“The National Assembly would deploy the necessary legislative framework to support the implementation of these agreements.”
He also added: “The National People’s Congress (NPC) has demonstrated how a robust legislative framework can serve as an instrument for national development.
“By fostering a collaborative relationship with this esteemed body, we can exchange ideas and best practices that will enhance our own legislative processes.
“The success story of China is not merely one of economic prowess; it is also a testament to the power of effective governance and legislative action in driving national progress.”
Despite appeals by some stakeholders and the Federal Government calling for calm, organisers of the October 1 protests against hardship in the country have insisted on going ahead with tomorrow’s action.
Giving reasons, one of the lawyers to the detained August 1 protesters, Mr Deji Adeyanju, yesterday, asserted that the fresh round of protest is on the heels of the Federal Government’s failure to address protesters’ earlier demands.
Speaking with Vanguard, Adeyanju said the government intentionally kept the issues aside, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s promise to engage with protesters had not been fulfilled.
Meanwhile, the Jigawa Police command will deploy its men today in readiness for the protest, just as Lagos command met with protest organisers and assured them of security.
Also, Lagos State government said the restriction of the action to two designated venues still stands, warning that protesters will not be allowed in other areas to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
Refrain from any acts of violence —FG
Reacting to the planned protest, the Federal Government, yesterday, urged the protesters to sheathe their swords and refrain from acts of violence.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in a chat with Vanguard, said: “The Federal Government is appealing to all Nigerians to remain calm and refrain from any acts of violence as Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence anniversary and 25 years of unbroken democracy.
“The government of President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring peace, unity and prosperity for all. It is also important for Nigerians to see opportunity in the various policies of the government, and use it for their betterment.”
‘Why we’ll protest’
However, Adeyanju said there is no going back on the protest because: “the issues from the August 1 nationwide peaceful protest have not been addressed, citizens have the right to protest.
“Irrespective of insinuations of government, arraignment of protesters, intimidation, and attempts to criminalize protest, citizens have insisted and expressed their rights that they must protest. It is a constitutionally guaranteed right that cannot be derogated in any circumstances.
‘’I believe that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that citizens enjoy constitutionally guaranteed rights, and all must protect their rights.
“They are hitting the streets on October 1 because the protesters’ demands have not been met. Not one has been met, and even the promise by the President that ‘please shelve the protest I am going to engage with you’; none and nothing has happened. The President has refused to engage, which means that the President really takes the people for granted.”
Nigerians have made up their minds
He also said the protest would hold as planned by the organisers because “even under the military, people were allowed to protest. The police are aware of the protest, and the organisers of the ‘Take it Back Movement’ have written to the police in Lagos, Abuja, Oyo and other parts of the country. The protest is nationwide.”
Recalling that security agents during the August 1 protest arrested and remanded peaceful protesters and might repeat the actions during the October 1 protest, he said the protesters are not deterred.
“That would be the intention of government anyway but I can tell you that would not deter citizens at all in exercising their franchise. And this is an opportunity to call on citizens to blaze the trail and ensure that their rights are enforced during this October 1 protest.’’
Police need to protect protesters
Adeyanju also said the Police Act mandated the police to protect protesters exercising their guaranteed constitutional rights, of which protest is one.
“In fact, the police had tried to say they were inviting the protesters for a meeting but the protesters had declined; the protesters had offered a zoom meeting, which the police did not oblige.”
On the days the protest will last, he said it was only the organisers who could decide how many days the protest will last, and he added that as soon the protest commences, the organisers will give details of activities.
We’re working aggressively to release all protesters
On the issue of protesters still in prison custody and yet to be arraigned, he said: “Many have been granted bail in Abuja, Kano, Sokoto, and other places across the country but so many more are still in custody. We are working aggressively to ensure that they are all released.”
He added that they will be in court today because “they said they have plans to arraign more protesters that were arrested and not released. We are optimistic that they will keep to their words and arraign them.”
Bail requirements are hard for protesters
However, Adeyanju explained that meeting the N100 million condition for 10 protesters recently granted bail was not the issue but landed property requested by the court.
“No, it is not payment of monetary sum or whatsoever, the hardest part of meeting that condition was just the issue around landed property.
“We have put in an application for variation, we have met some of the demands for some of the protesters. Three protesters that could not meet the demands we have put in an application for variation and that application is coming up on Friday, October 4, 2024”, he said.
On the condition of protesters in prison custody, the human rights activist said: “They have largely been incarcerated from their loved ones and it is definitely not a palatable one but it shows that the government is tyrannical in nature, and the government can do better.”
NBA’s efforts led to the release of protesters
Speaking on the efforts of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to release protesters in prison custody, he asserted: “The NBA is doing a lot, even at the last adjourned date the NBA was in court on behalf of the protesters. We have been to Kano, we have done interventions in Sokoto, Lagos and other parts of the country.”
Need for diplomatic community intervention
He lamented that so far, there had been “no foreign intervention on this matter. The diplomatic community has been quiet over the issue, and this is not comfortable. That is why we have called on the diplomatic community and development partners of the country to lend their voice to ensure that freedoms are exercised and citizens’ rights are not unnecessarily suppressed in the country.”
Give FG more time to fix economy — Kogi Police
In Kogi State, the Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, appealed to protest organisers to sheathe their swords and give more time to President Tinubu to address challenges facing the country.
In a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Anya, the CP, shortly after the organisers visited the command, appealed to them to be patient and give the Federal Government some time to fix the economy and other related demands.
The statement read: “Given the October 1 planned nationwide protest, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State police Command, CP Bethrand Onuoha engaged with the executives of “Take It Back Movement” Kogi State chapter at the command headquarters, Lokoja.
“The CP advised the group to reconsider their planned protest and give the government more time to fix the economy of our dear Nation.
“He further stated that he called for the engagement meeting in response to their letter received on Friday, September 27, 2024.
“Leader of the group assured the CP that as enlightened and law-abiding youths in Kogi State, they accept his advice as a father and promised to remain committed to the peace, progress, and development of the state.
“Present at the meeting were DCP Chike Nwabuwa, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations and his Assistant, ACP Aigbe Aghahowa, SP William Ovye Aya, PPRO, SP Emmanuel Abogonye, 2-I-C SID/OC Monitoring Unit, DSP Christopher Okoebor, PA to CP, while members of the Group include Moses Opeyemi, Coordinator, Oloruntoba Segun, Muhammed Abdul, Ande Joel, Michael John, Musa Matthew, Usman Alfa, Mohammed Usman Ahmed, Ibrahim Shaibu, and Adama Shaibu.”
Lagos CP meets protest organizers
In Lagos, the Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, met with the protest organizers in his office at the state headquarters, Ikeja, and assured them that arrangements had been perfected with sister security agencies to provide maximum security for them and other Lagosians. He urged them to remain peaceful and law-abiding in all their actions.
CP Ishola also ordered the immediate deployment of human and operational resources across strategic locations in the state, charging the deployed officers to be professional, and civil but firm.
The protest organizers, on their part, gave assurances that they and their followers would be peaceful and law-abiding during the exercise.
In attendance at the meeting were Dabiradura Adeyinka, Alex Omotehinse, I. Tobiloba, Lawal Adewale, Adewale Ojo, Declan I., Funmi Jolade Ajayi, Akintunde Adedeji, Balogun Hameed, Aghedo Stephen, Edafe Oghenebrume, H.O.T. Duro, Isaac Obasi, Soweto, Oloye Adeniji, Aishat Omolara, Barristers Chuks Nwobi, Emmanuel Ajide., Femi Akinyemi (Falana & Falana Chambers) and Comrade Oguntunji.
We are ready for the October 1 protest —Lagos organizers
Rising from the meeting, the organisers said the protest procession will be from Ikeja to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota.
Coordinator of the movement, Mr Hassan Taiwo, aka Soweto, who is also the National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, ERC, said: “We are ready for the October 1 protest in Lagos. As you are already aware, the #EndBadGovernance movement has declared Tuesday October 1, 2024, as a ‘National Day of Survival’ to protest the condition of hunger and hardship precipitated by Tinubu’s anti-poor and neo-liberal capitalist policies.
“Here in Lagos, the movement has also announced Ikeja Under-bridge as the take-off point and the time is 7:30am. As a movement, we wholeheartedly believe in the unity of all fighting forces as a prerequisite for a successful struggle.
“October 1, a ‘National Day of Survival.’, is a day for the Nigerian people to come together at barricades across the country to reflect on the journey of nationhood so far and make a decision on how to rescue our country from the condition of mass poverty amid abundance.
‘’Here in Lagos, our peaceful protest march will take place as follows: Take off point is Ikeja Under-bridge. From there, we shall march around several roads and streets of Lagos to sensitize the long-suffering people of Lagos.
“By this announcement, we are informing the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State of our planned October action. We are also by this means, informing the Police of their obligation under Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 which imposes a duty on the Nigeria Police Force to provide adequate security for citizens who may wish to participate in public meetings, rallies and protests.
“We hereby call on the Nigerian people, progressive organisations, community groups, trade unions, students unions, youth groups to come out massively on October 1 in peaceful protest and demonstration.
‘’The October 1 action is an urgent cry to the Tinubu administration to address our demands immediately. Unless our demands are met, more protests will follow the ‘National Day of Survival.’’
Demands
Some of the group’s demands include rejection of IMF neo-liberal policies; reversal of hike in fuel price and electricity tariff back to pre-May 29, 2023 levels, making government-owned refineries work to guarantee affordable fuel products, reducing food prices, supporting farmers to ensure sustainable food production, ending insecurity, banditry, terrorism and violent crimes, prosecuting culprits and their sponsors.
Others are a robust security architecture and adequate support for soldiers at the front and their families, release of Adaramoye Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Daniel Akande and all #EndBadGovernance protesters, activists, journalists, whistle-blowers and other victims of state repression unconditionally, implement N70,000 New National Minimum wage at all levels, and reduce the cost of governance.
Other coordinators of the protest are Francis Nwapa, National Secretary, Youth Rights Campaign, YRC; Oloye Adegboyega Adeniji, Chairman, Movement for Fundamental Change, MFC; Abiodun Aremu, Secretary, Joint Action Front, JAF; and Mr Wale Balogun, National Coordinator, Yoruba Revolutionary Movement, YOREM.
Restriction of protests to two designated venues stands – LASG
Meanwhile, Lagos State government has advised organisers of the protest not to disrupt the social and economic activities in the state during the protest, saying the directives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the Commissioner of Police for maintenance and securing of public safety and public order during the protest stands.
The state government also said a Lagos High Court order which restricted the protest to Freedom and Peace Parks in the Ojota and Ketu areas of the state is still binding.
Responding to questions by some journalists on the issue, yesterday, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu is not opposed to any group of residents expressing their view about any government by way of public protest, but insisted that such expression must be done within the confines of the law.
Pedro stated that a Lagos High Court had restricted the protest in the state to Freedom and Peace Parks in the state and urged the protesters to respect the court order by confining themselves to the two venues.
He said: “We have and shall continue to engage the civil societies and NGOs in Lagos who are genuinely interested in the development of Lagos State to explain and enlighten them that the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is not opposed to any group of residents to express their view about any government by way of public protest as it is their fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria 1999.
“However the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, association and assembly is not absolute and by virtue of Section 45, Section 215 (4) of the Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and section 4 & 10(2) of the Police Act, it is lawful for the Governor of Lagos State or the Attorney General of Lagos on his behalf to give the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State directive for maintenance and securing of public safety and public order that may impact on the exercise of these fundamental rights.”
Pedro insisted that the state government would not permit any street protest that could be hijacked by criminal elements whose agenda is destruction of government or other residents’ properties.
“In that respect, we advise that the organisers should utilise the designated venues in the state for public protest to wit; Freedom Park and Peace Park for adequate protection and coverage of the protest by members of the press.
“It is the same set or group of people that organised the last protest that are planning the October 1 protest, so they should be guided by the interim preservative order of injunction of court restricting public protest in the State to designated venues for the purpose.
“More so, a substantive action is pending in court against them wherein an order of interlocutory and perpetual injunction are being sought to permanently restrict any person or group of persons that wish to organise public protest in Lagos State to do so at designated venues.
“It is settled principle of law that a defendant who is aware of a pending claim or application for injunction against him in a court of law, has an obligation to respect the court process and not engage in the same act sought to be restrained.
“Therefore, whether the interim preservative order is subsisting or not, by the subsisting suit, it will be unlawful for anybody, civil society or NGO in Lagos to convene any public protest outside the designated venue. They should use the designated venues for their protest so that adequate security protection and traffic management can be provided for them to exercise their recognised fundamental right to freedom of speech, association and assembly without fear of the protest being hijacked and turned violence as experienced during the #EndSARS protest.
“The last End bad governance protest in Lagos was violence-free and successful because it was held in designated venues for public protest in the state.”
Jigawa Police deploy men today
In Jigawa State, the Police said they werr ready to provide adequate security for residents of the state.
Towards this end, the command said it would be deploying its men to protect all critical national assets in the state.
Jigawa State was one of the states that witnessed massive destruction of public and private properties during the August 1-10 #EndBadGovernance protest.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, in an interview, yesterday, said though no group had approached it in respect of the protest, the police would not be leaving anything to chance.
“So far, we do not have any group that has approached us in respect of the planned protest, we have been monitoring the development around the state.
‘’In-fact, we will begin to deploy our men to all critical assets around the state. Apart from that, we have initiated dialogue with some critical groups such as the labour unions and they have assured us that they are not planning any protest in the state.”
No public interest yet in Katsina
In Katsina State, no group has publicly expressed interest in participating in the October 1 protest. It was also learned that those who participated in the last protest are still facing legal proceedings.
Efforts to contact Kabiru Yandaki, the leader of the “Struggle for Good Governance” protest, were unsuccessful. His associates also couldn’t be reached for comments.
When contacted, spokesperson, Katsina Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, confirmed the development. He said the command is yet to receive any official notification about a protest and has not been contacted by any group planning to participate in the October 1 protest. Nevertheless, ASP Sadiq said the Command has made all necessary arrangements, including adequate deployment of personnel’ to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order during the protest.
Don’t join any protest, NAUS tells varsity students
Meanwhile, the leadership of the National Association of University Students, NAUS, has said that students in the nation’s universities will not participate in the October 1 protest
To this end, the body has called on the students to stay away from any form of protest instigated by any individual or groups on Independence Day.
NAUS,at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, said that it was making arrangements to engage in dialogue with relevant authorities to protect the interest of students.
NAUS National President, Mr Josiah Oche Peter, urged NNPCL to take proactive steps to ensure all filling stations sell PMS at a uniform price.
The body also charged NNPCL to ensure that the nation’s refineries begin operation.
“We urge all university students to shun all forms of protest, as we will engage in dialogue with relevant authorities to protect NAUS’s interests, except as a last resort if our demands are not met,”he said.
The university students’ body called on the Federal Government to distribute 3,000 Compressed Natural Gas, CNG buses to all institutions to help cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on university students.
Budget and Economic Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu has said the Federal Government through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund had approved over N350 billion to support dams and expand other facilities across Nigeria.
Bagudu said this while addressing reporters after condoling with former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman AbdulRasheed Bawa on the passing of his mother yesterday in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.
“The flooding is a dramatic change. It is a global challenge. We saw what happened in Borno, among other states. If you watch the footages coming from around the world, particularly in Europe, you will see a lot of flooding incidents.
“Climate change is real. Luckily enough, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu recognised it and took proactive steps, ensuring that money was given to states.
“A number of interventions have been approved by the President, in addition to numerous timely releases of Federal Allocation Account (FAC) money.
“The Federal Government allocated N3 billion to each state of the federation to mitigate the effects of flooding.
“Governor Nasiri Idris of Kebbi State has told me that the state has taken possession of its share of the fund.
“The Federal Government had, in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last week, approved over N350 billion under the President’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund to support dams and expansion of irrigation facilities,” he said.
Bagudu also said FEC had approved N900 billion for the Kebbi component of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, saying: “It is the single biggest contract awarded under the current administration.”
According to him, there is another approval for the construction of Zaria-Kala-Kala road in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of the state.
The road, Bagudu said, joins other roads, particularly the awarded Melando–Warra in Birnin Yauri, Ngaski Local Government Area of the state.
“Kebbi is blessed. We are lucky that infrastructural projects, among other numerous interventions in agriculture, animal husbandry, hospitals, and schools, will complement the ongoing developmental projects taking place in the state,” he said.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said Nigeria will save N5.4 trillion from fuel subsidy at the end of this year, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of the funding last year when he assumed office.
The governor said it would have been disastrous for Nigeria to pay such a huge amount, if the nation was still operating the fuel subsidy regime against the Federal Government’s budget of N6.7 trillion for the same fiscal year.
Abiodun said this during a special church service commemorating the 64th National Day celebration at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter’s at Ake in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The governor said the money had been channeled to the development of infrastructures across the country.
“The Federal Government, under the amiable leadership of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wasted no time in embarking on some very bold and audacious initiatives aimed at repositioning our economy and saving us from bankruptcy. We must persevere.
“Mr. President removed the subsidy, which, if not curbed, would have cost us N5.4 trillion by the end of 2024.
“We have been busy subsidising our neighbours. These are funds that can be invested in improving our infrastructure and other social services.
“Our budget this year for infrastructure was N6.7 trillion; meanwhile, the subsidy would have consumed N5.4 trillion, if not curbed or checked,” he said.
Abiodun urged fellow Nigerians to engage the government constructively and not join those fanning the ember of discord.
The governor noted that protests would not achieve anything other than looting and vandalism of public properties.
“Let us be resilient, let us continue to pray, let us persevere, and let us hold on to our faith in Almighty God.
“Let us not join those who continue to fan the flames of discord in our land and those who are calling for protests, violence, and civil disobedience, which only leads to vandalism, looting, and destruction of public property.
“Let us engage constructively and work with the government, knowing that this administration is an inclusive one,” he added.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said those antagonising his administration are envious and frustrated, saying he is currently building a psychiatric hospital for the benefit of his detractors.
He said his opponents and detractors were pained because he had achieved within one year what they did in eight years.
This came 24 hours after the former governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at a reception on Saturday in his honour by the Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress, mocked Fubara for resorting to joining the Action Peoples Party, saying he would teach the governor how to play politics.
At the event, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Boma Iyaye, apologised to Wike for Fubara’s alleged misdeeds.
Reacting, however, on Sunday, Fubara said he had always stood on the path of truth and would not need anybody to apologise on his behalf for doing the right things for the good of the state.
He said his administration stood firm to secure Rivers commonwealth from the grip of those who were determined to lay hold on its soul.
The reply came as the Rivers Ijaw Foundation lampooned Wike over his utterances against the Ijaw leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.
The group said the recent attacks on two prominent Ijaw sons were crude, divisive and disrespectful to them, the Ijaw and an incitement of hate against the tribe.
Fubara, speaking at the inter-denominational church thanksgiving service organised as part of activities marking the 64th Independence Day celebration of Nigeria, held at St. Paul’s Cathedral of the Anglican Communion at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt, on Sunday, said he would continue to do his best without fear.
He said, “They even say, they don’t know what we are doing. Let me remind them that it is Fubara who signed the paper to borrow from Zenith Bank the N200bn for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. So, it is my project.
“It is Fubara that awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road that they couldn’t do. They only did a bridge from Krakrama, but I am the one doing it: the complete span, and it is N22bn. I didn’t borrow.
“It is this same Fubara that is building a General Hospital, which I also included a psychiatric hospital because they will need it very soon. So, tell them that what I did in one year is what they did in eight years.
“It is only empty containers that make noise. If God has given you an opportunity, eat your plantain and keep quiet. God will continue to give us the strength to do the best for our people, without fear.”
Fubara insisted that if his political enemies continued to deride the grace of God in his life, they would continue to struggle for needless public recognition that depicted how much they had fallen out of grace.”
He said his policy was not to embark on a mere jamboree of groundbreaking for projects as he assured that any project he started would be inaugurated and put to public use.
“Very soon, you will see what we are doing. It is not about doing roads for your business interest. I don’t have any business interests. Whatever I am doing, I am doing it for the people of Rivers State.
“We will not take any decision that we cannot defend. We won’t be part of anything that will bring any form of disgrace to our dear state. This state is important to us. It is the only thing that we have.
“It is a beautiful pride. That is why they are struggling, coupled with the improvement in internally generated revenue we have done. That is why they are struggling, we know. But, do it with modesty, you don’t need to destroy the house.”
He said God had not taken away some of the people disturbing the peace of the state because He wanted them to repent, adding that if they refused, God would come heavily.
“The frustration you are seeing in their faces today is about this point we have gotten. So, please, be strong. All the Babylonians that we are seeing today, you will not see them again.
“God has a reason for allowing the devil or the evil one to stay long. It is not that He can’t take him or take them away but He gives them time to repent.
“And when they continue, He will come heavily, and then, they would say, it would have been better that they had left when they had time. That will be our story in this state.
“But, you see, anybody that is making noise for recognition, it is a sign that he has lost it. By the special grace of God, I don’t need an introduction. I have the name, and I am the one standing here.”
He reiterated that he remained a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, as he assured the people that the most difficult stage of the political crisis in the state was over.
“I will beg every one of you, God has given us this opportunity, we must safeguard it. They are the ones looking for a way to destroy it.
“They didn’t believe we would get to this point, and I can tell you I had a reason for inviting all the candidates for the local government election for this service.
“I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, but I know that there will be an election that I am conducting. So, I have to invite you to come and receive prayers. And little did I know, the Bishop gave you the prayers.
“For those of you participating in the election, please, I want the election to be peaceful, very important. When you emerge, our major concern is the people. Care for the people. We have taken Rivers State into a different driveway,” he said.
The governor said most of the decisions taken by his administration may not have been popular but added that they were necessary if the state must be protected from detractors.
He urged everyone to join hands with his administration to tackle the big task of securing the soul of the state and making it a proud place for all Rivers people.
He added, “And I tell you, with due respect my Dean, when you said our National Anthem was changed, for me, I like this new one, more especially where it says – ‘a nation built, where no man is oppressed’ – it is so unique.
“And if that is where I stand, you should understand, I can’t be a party to oppressing anybody. And for the fact that I can’t be a party to oppress anybody, by the special grace of God, nobody can oppress me. Please, we need to join hands together to sustain and develop our state.”
He lamented the issue of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the state, as he called for such an act of economic sabotage should not continue.
“The security agencies are doing their best. As a government, we are also planning to have a special committee to tackle this problem.
“We need to improve the level of our production. That is the only way that we can get out of this situation. The situation is bad. There are no two ways about it. But we must come together as one to support what the centre is doing, so our lives can change,” he said.
The governor added, “As a matter of fact, I belong to that school of thought that if I am the only person that needs to stand on that side of right, I will stand there. I don’t need anybody to stand with me.
“I cannot give my kidney or liver to anybody, I won’t. If that is the only reason for me to be loyal, I will not be. But, I will not do the wrong thing. I will stand for the side of the right.
“I make bold to say it, there is no security agency in this state that I have called any day to go and do something wrong. I have never. I don’t need it. But I know what they do, and they keep failing because God has left them.”
In his sermon at the service, the Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, Most Reverend Blessing Enyindah, bemoaned Nigeria at its 64th Independence anniversary, saying it seemed like a country under siege, wherein its citizens were held up as captives with no hope brighter than noonday to expect.
Enyindah, who is the Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, and Dean of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, blamed leaders across sectors, particularly political leaders for the nation’s woes.
He said instead of liberating the people from social, economic and political imprisonment, the political leaders accentuated poverty, economic hardship and soaring prices of goods.
He asked them to stop enacting irrelevant policies and resist the temptation of perpetuating themselves in office for Nigeria to become the country it should truly be.
He also asked judicial officers to break away from issuing conflicting judgments that could promote a miscarriage of justice.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by the Director of Publicity, Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo and sent to newsmen, the Rivers Ijaw Foundation said, “Wike repeatedly disrespected the revered national leader and father of the Ijaw nation, Chief E.K. Clark, on national television. He maligned former Governor Rufus Ada-George and Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He incited hatred against Ijaws in Rivers State.
“In the same manner, the communique of the so-called Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly contained disrespect for the Ijaw national leader, Chief E.K. Clark and the people of Opobo-Ijaw.
“After an extensive review of the utterances made by former Governor Nyesom Wike and his cohorts, the Rivers Ijaw Foundation considers it a duty to put the records straight as follows:
“The Rivers Ijaw Foundation considers the utterances of former Governor Nyesom Wike and the so-called Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly as crude, rude, cultureless, insensitive and divisive.
“We condemn in the strongest terms, the disrespect to our highly revered national leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and former Governor Ada-George by Nyesom Wike and his political cronies. We are utterly disgusted by the attack on Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the unwarranted incitement of hate against the Rivers Ijaw people by Nyesom Wike and his cohorts.”
The group requested President Bola Tinubu to call Wike to order, adding that the President must not give the impression that he prioritised political exigencies above the peace, happiness and prosperity of Rivers people and Ijaw.
The foundation said former President Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw son, never had ministers who publicly disrespected elder statesmen like Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Olu Falae and Pa Ayo Adebanjo, though his greatest critics were from the South West.
“President Bola Tinubu must call Nyesom Wike to order or risk being asked to choose between Wike and the entire Ijaw nation,” the statement said.
Dangote Group has said that it plans to transport refined petroleum products by sea.
This announcement was made in a statement on Sunday by the Senior Adviser to the Group President on Special Projects and Strategic Relations, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman.
She noted the construction of a jetty in the Lekki Free Zone to handle bulk cargoes during the refinery’s development.
“Today, we are exporting our products to many African countries through the seaport. We also plan to ease the pressure on the roads from the refinery by transporting finished petroleum products to other ports along the Nigerian coast by sea, for further distribution to the hinterland,” she said.
According to the group, this initiative aims to alleviate pressure on road networks while facilitating exports to other African countries.
The statement also stated that the Dangote Group, a major sponsor of the trade fair organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attracted a large crowd eager to learn about its state-of-the-art oil refinery, which recently commenced discharging petroleum products.
The statement added that many attendees explored the company’s various business units, including Dangote Fertiliser, Dangote Sugar, NASCON (Dangote Salt), and Dangote Cement.
Wali-Abdurrahman said participants were keen to discover opportunities within the company.
The statement quoted a participant, Peter Ibrahim, as saying, “I am here at the Dangote booth to find out what business and job opportunities are available at the Dangote Refinery. We know the company must have created several opportunities.”
Similarly, cement dealer Sale Sagir, remarked, “Let me be honest. I came to this trade fair because of the Dangote Group. I sell cement, but now I have come to find out what it takes to be a distributor of other products, especially the Dangote Petroleum products.”
Wali-Abdurrahman also highlighted the company’s investment in Compressed Natural Gas, stating, “To reduce our carbon footprint and costs, over the past decade, we have converted about a third of our fleet. This is an ongoing process, till we convert the entire fleet.”
The ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, commended the Dangote Group for its significant role in Nigeria’s industrialisation.
Represented by Vice President Legal, Aisha Abdullahi, he remarked on the company’s “unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s development, adding, “The taxes paid by the group have contributed significantly to national revenue, funding infrastructure projects and social programmes that benefit millions of Nigerians.”
The Technical Sub-Committee on Domestic Sales of Crude Oil in Local Currency, on Sunday, confirmed that the supply of crude in naira by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is to begin on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
On September 13, 2024, the committee announced that the Federal Executive Council under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu approved the sale of crude to local refineries in naira and the corresponding purchase of petroleum products in naira.
“From October 1, NNPC will commence the supply of about 385kbpd (385,000 barrels per day) of crude oil to the Dangote refinery to be paid for in naira,” the committee had declared.
The Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee is Zacch Adedeji, who doubles as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
When contacted on Sunday and asked if the plan for the crude oil supply to the $20bn Lekki-based plant is still intact, the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Mr Dare Adekanmbi, responded in the affirmative.
He said, “I can confirm to you that the Chairman, Sub-Technical Committee, Zacch Adedeji, is working day and night to ensure that things go according to plans. He knows how important it is to have the agreement implemented as has been planned for the benefit of Nigerians.”
This implies that NNPC is to supply about 11.5 million barrels of crude oil to the Dantote refinery monthly, and based on the deal, the plant will release equivalent volumes of refined diesel and petrol to the domestic market also in naira.
The panel explained in September that this initiative would help reduce pressure on the naira, eliminate unnecessary transaction costs, and improve the availability of petroleum products across the country.
“Since then, the implementation committee chaired by the Minister of Finance and we, the technical committee, have worked intensely with NNPC and Dangote refinery to fashion out the details of the modalities for the implementation of the FEC approval,” Adedeji had stated.
While stating that crude would be sold to Dangote in naira from October 1, the committee chairman and FIRS boss said, “In return, the Dangote refinery will supply PMS (petrol) and diesel of equivalent value to the domestic market to be paid in naira.
“Diesel will be sold in naira by the Dangote refinery to any interested off-taker. PMS will only be sold to NNPC. NNPC will then sell to various marketers for now. All associated regulatory costs (NPA, NIMASA, etc.) will also be paid in naira. We are also setting up a one-stop shop that will coordinate service provision from all regulatory agencies, security agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth implementation of this initiative.”
Adedeji explained that the technical committee that worked to flesh out the initiative would transition to an implementation execution and monitoring committee that would be working out of Lagos for the next three to six months.
The committee, which includes the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Jafiya; the FIRS boss, as well as representatives from NNPC, Central Bank of Nigeria, AfreximBank, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, was set up to craft a robust template that will ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.
Meanwhile, modular refineries have called on the government to work out modalities for the supply of crude to their plants as well.
About 24 hours before the commencement deal, the modular refiners told one of our correspondents that they were not involved in the scheme of things.
The Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refinery-owners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, said, “The committee is only discussing with Dangote at the moment.”
According to Idoko, the committee, at its inaugural meeting, said it would start the naira sale of crude with refineries producing petrol, noting that at the moment, only the Dangote refinery is producing the commodity.
He said the association made a case that the committee should extend the sale to other refineries to avoid discrimination, “but they haven’t given us any feedback”.
Idoko stated, “Perhaps, during the October date, they will disclose more in terms of the modus they want to adopt. But at the moment, we have not received any clear communications as to how the naira sale will be administered other than the fact that they said they will start with PMS-producing refineries.”
The CORAN spokesman disclosed that many of the modular refineries have been facing serious crude challenges, preventing them from producing fuel.
He noted that some refineries with 10,000 capacity currently produce a little above 3,000 barrels per day due to the unavailability of crude oil.
“A 6,000-capacity refinery now produces 1,000 barrels, but productions are off and on because of erratic crude supply,” he stated.
He added, “Our modular refineries are facing a serious crude crisis. Nothing has changed for modular refineries. There are talks with the government but there hasn’t been any definite arrangement for supplies.”
Nigerians are hopeful that the naira crude sale scheduled to start on October 1 will bring down the price of petrol.
Since it commenced the sale of petroleum on September 15, the Dangote refinery has refused to announce the price of the product.
The company denied selling at N898 per litre to the NNPC, saying the claim by the NNPC was misleading and mischievous, deliberately aimed at undermining the milestone achievement recorded.
The Dangote refinery urged Nigerians to await a formal announcement from the presidential committee.
“We urge Nigerians to disregard this malicious statement and await a formal announcement on the pricing, by the Technical Sub-Committee on Naira-based crude sales to local refineries, appointed by President Bola Tinubu, which will commence on October 1, 2024, bearing in mind that our current stock of crude was procured in dollars,” the Dangote Group stated.
However, the Federal Government has said it would not interfere in the price controversy between the NNPC and Dangote, saying the petroleum sector had been deregulated.
The Ministry of Education has said it is working to prevent another strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The Director of Press in the ministry, Folasade Biriowo, stated this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday.
“I can assure you that everything is being done to prevent the strike from happening. The minister has teams working already so I can give you that assurance,” Birjowo said.
ASUU had last week given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve several lingering issues, failing which it would proceed on another strike.
Among other things, the varsity lecturers are seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021, as well as the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action.
Additionally, ASUU is demanding the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, and the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.
The union is also seeking funding for the revitalisation of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.
Other issues include the proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments, implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities, reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution as a replacements by the for IPPIS.
ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke in a statement issued last Wednesday, expressed frustration with the government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics, stating that these actions were fuelling a crisis in the public university system.
“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, 23rd September 2024 during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union. The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from government’s failure to seize the new opportunity,” Osodeke said.
The Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, said on Sunday that more than 40 percent of Nigerians now enjoy 20 hours of power supply daily across the country.
Adelabu, in a statement in Abuja, said the feat was achieved through revolutionary measures taken by the Ministry of Power, with the support of President Bola Tinubu, as part of his renewed hope agenda to galvanise the economy.
He credited the achievements in the power sector to radical and bold steps taken by his administration, with President Tinubu’s consistent advocacy for a stable and consistent power supply as a means to achieve a breakthrough in industrialisation.
Adelabu said the generation of more than 5,500 megawatts of power was one of the ministry’s significant achievements in the last year, with plans to improve further by the end of the year.
“Most developed nations achieved reliable, functional, and affordable electricity as a fundamental step.
“This is crucial for industries, businesses, institutions, and households. That’s why we must prioritise this for Nigeria to drive economic growth and industrial development.
“President Bola Tinubu emphasised this in his New Year’s speech on January 1, stressing the need for stable electricity to power critical sectors.
“This is the only way to achieve requisite economic growth and industrial development, as none of these sectors can function without it.”
Adelabu outlined the administration’s vision to provide stable electricity supply to households, businesses, and institutions, including educational and health institutions, as well as industries.
According to him, this initiative aims to empower these entities to power their infrastructure, enhance their capacity, and create additional job opportunities.
He said that the ministry works with agencies, 27 power generating companies, and 11 Electricity Distribution Companies to achieve its goals.
He added that with the support of President Tinubu, the ministry was committed to providing Nigerians with stable and regular electricity supply.
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As Senators Nwoko, Izunaso push for additional States
WITH the commencement of another phase of review of the 1999 Constitution by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senators are presently on the same page on the issue of Local government autonomy, but sharply divided over the establishment of State Police across the thirty- six states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Recall that the Senate had in May this year during a plenary session concluded that the 774 local governments across the country are dead, accusing state governors of misappropriating funds allocated to Local Government Councils in Nigeria.
According to the Senate, the dream of achieving the objectives of the local government system has encountered harsh realities as successive governments have often eroded local autonomy, limiting their financial resources and control over decision-making, and adding that corruption scandals and mismanagement have often tarnished the image of some local governments, thereby fueling public cynicism.
Also, recall that the Supreme Court had on 11th July barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds that are meant for the 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs, in the country.
The apex court had ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.
Move by the Senators to save the third tier of government from total collapse following the abuse of their roles by the state governors, may not be unconnected to the recent Supreme Court verdict and the pledge by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, that the National Assembly would tinker with the constitution to legalise their full autonomy.
As members of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review rounded off its two-day retreat on the amendments to the 1999 constitution on Saturday night in Kano, they unanimously agreed to include full autonomy for local governments in the nation’s legal document, but they however expressed divergent views on the issue of state police.
Senators from the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones at the forum, advocated for the creation of additional states.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, former Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South; Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East; Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, APC, Oyo North; Osita Izunaso, APC, Imo West and Ned Nwoko, PDP, Delta North in their various submissions insisted that full autonomy for local governments was long overdue.
The Senators spoke at the sidelines of the Retreat which was organised jointly organised by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC.
Speaking on the issue, Bamidele who noted that the current constitution has put the administration of local government in the hands of the state government, said that the exigencies of the current situation have made it necessary to make the third tier of government, completely independent.
The Senate leader said, “The independence of the autonomy of our local governments cannot be taken away. The debate is raging as to whether or not local government should be considered as a tier of government.
“Law is made for men and not men for law. Regardless of what is in our constitution, what is important is that certain realities have come to terms with us.
“So, if we’re talking about local government autonomy, the way some of us have looked at it, in the Senate and the National Assembly, is that we need to complement what the Supreme Court has said.
“The Supreme Court didn’t say anything that is not in our constitution. The Supreme Court only gave it some further clarity. Arising from that, it’s also important that as much as possible, we also ensure that the fear that governors will not allow local governments to function can also be addressed through further tinkering with our constitution.
“For instance, a lot of stakeholders are concerned that for as long as local governments elections are conducted through state independent federal commissions, there could be a highway to nowhere.”
On his part, Chairman, Senate Committee on Reparation and Repatriation, Senator Ned Nwoko who noted that local government autonomy, was very critical, said, “The local government has almost but died, there is nothing happening there, it is just as a mere third tier of government.
“So any reforms that support what the Supreme Court had already done, will help to reintroduce the ideals of having a local government.
“If we have an independent local government where elections are conducted by INEC for instance and they have their own money and they are able to take care of local securities and deal with hospitals and the rest of them, a lot will happen for good.”
In his contributions, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa who noted that the process of restructuring had started with the Supreme Court verdict on local government autonomy, said, “When you are talking about restructuring, we should be able to give the local governments, the autonomous power to be able to run their administration from the grassroots level so that the impact of governance can reach the grassroots.”
In his submission, Osita Izunaso who stressed that arguments about the possibility of local government chairmen becoming too powerful to the extent of impeaching governors if granted full autonomy does not hold water, said, “When we started in this country, local governments had full autonomy then and they were developing their areas. I believe in the full autonomy of the local government.
“I am sure it is going to work. I don’t believe that LG autonomy would empower council chairmen to impeach the governors. The fear does not arise and I don’t even believe in it.
“The governors have immense constitutional powers. Only the state assembly can move against the governor. The council chairmen don’t have the power. Governors and council chairmen should face their work.”
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari who threw his weight behind the position of the Senate Leader who postulated that the election of council chairmen and the councillors should be conducted by an independent body not constituted by state governments, said, “Local government autonomy could only be achieved if their elections are conducted by an independent body. If that is not done, states will continue to siphon their money, through threats, through blackmail.
“If I just put you there as local government chairman, as the governor, definitely you will be answerable to me, but if am contesting my election people’s eyes will be on me and when I can perform, you can’t force me to take the money to the governor.
“If we want that Supreme Court judgement to hold water, we should expunge from the Constitution, that aspect of Joint Account.
On the issue of state police, the Senators were divided, just as those in support are of the view that insecurity would be tacked effected with state police while others said political opponents would be targeted by state governors.
Supporting State Police, Senator Sani Musa said, “This retreat, we are going to deal with the issue of State Police, Local Government autonomy. But when you are talking about restructuring, in the context of it, we are doing a restructuring. We are already doing the restructuring. By my understanding of what restructuring should be, we should be able to give the LG the autonomous power to be able to run their administration from the grassroots level so that the impact of governance can reach the grassroots.
“When we are talking about State Police, every state in this country is facing one insecurity or the other and I believe that if we look at the issue of State Police, and we look at it: is it good for us? What are the advantages and disadvantages, that may have in the interest of this country, I think, we will come out with an outcome that Nigerians will want. So, I think this is the reason why we are here.”
However, Senator Ali Ndume said, Personally, I don’t support state police. Right now, we have less than 400,000 Police nationwide, and you are clamouring for the creation of state police, why don’t you increase the number and Train, Equip, Armed and Motivate them, what I call TEAM. And also adopt the United Nation recommendation on policing. We are about 230 million Nigerians, and we have less than 400,000 police, less than 200,000 armed forces and all our security agencies and paramilitary are barely 1 million or more. We don’t have an army or police reserve and you are saying we should have a state police.”
Both Senators Nwoko and Osita Izunaso, maintained that the creation of additional states in their geopolitical zones was long overdue.
Nwoko said, “The Anioma state creation for me is something that has to be done, if that is the only state that is created in this period, I will not be surprised.
“Agitation for Anioma state had been going on for almost 50 years, it is the oldest agitation for a state.”
On his part, Izunaso said, “The most important agenda the South East Caucus in the National Assembly has is to push for equity and justice.
“We need an additional state in the South East so that we come to terms with other zones in the country that all have six each.
“A situation where the South East have five states when others have six, does not go well for balancing. I believe that our colleagues from other zone will see the reason why we need the state support us.
“There are bills in that regard. For instance, I have my own Bill for the creation of Orlu State. There are two other bills from our colleague for the creation of two other states. We are going to sit back as a zone harmonise our positions.”
![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] FG Hands Over 64 CNG Buses To Labour Unions, NANS](/media/k2/items/cache/a0c3aa0547cc8c710b692e1747593a78_XS.jpg)
The Federal Government has handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
When deployed for commuter service, the buses will significantly reduce transportation costs in the country, bringing hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system.
The handover of the buses took place on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, led the government delegation that included the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.
Edun described the distribution of the buses as fulfilling President Bola Tinubu's promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi).
He emphasised that this initiative aims to alleviate the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country on the path to economic stability.
The Minister further explained that the symbolic handover of 64 buses on the eve of Nigeria’s National Day marks the beginning of a broader national rollout, with the plan to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the first instance.
He added that the CNG initiative aligns with Nigeria's commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialisation.
''Today marks another critical milestone in the policies of President Tinubu. It is a transition to cleaner fuel. It is for Nigerians. The emphasis is on mass transit. The minister said there is an emphasis on intervening on the side of workers so that they have cheaper transport to cope with rising prices.
He also highlighted the CNG initiative’s impact on inflation, saying:
''We've had an initial spike in inflation, now it has peaked, and it is coming down. Mr President and the whole team are determined to ensure that we keep inflation coming down, and this is one of the major ways.''
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy noted that the fuel cost for CNG-powered vehicles is about one-third of the fuel for petrol-powered vehicles.
He said motorists can now pay as low as N15,000 to fill a tank instead of N50,000 or more.
''Today, it is CNG. Tomorrow, it will be helping farmers to cope with the remainder of the wet season planting and then the dry season planting, starting from November, with fertiliser, inputs, seeds, and herbicides.
''This is all to get prices down and get the economy moving again, '' he said.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive of TUC, Comrade Nuhu Toro; NANS president, Comrade Lucky Emonefe; and the Head of International Desk, NLC, Comrade Uche Ekwe, commended President Tinubu for the gesture. They called for more CNG buses to be made available to the public.
Toro thanked the President for implementing the N70,000 new national minimum wage.
''This move is a significant step in alleviating the economic burden of Nigerian workers.
NANS president Comrade Emonefe praised the government for its commitment to education and student welfare, citing the provision of a student loan scheme for higher education.
"Nigerian students are happy to be celebrating the 64th anniversary of independence. We are not only happy with the CNG buses; we believe that the current President loves the welfare of students and has shown his commitment to this.
The NLC representative noted that the benefits of the CNG buses would become more apparent once more buses are deployed across the country.
''If we get more buses, the effect will translate immediately to Nigerians. If people start entering these buses, they will publicise it in the public and their neighbourhood,'' he said.
Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director/Chief Executive of PCNGi, said that since its establishment one year ago, over 125 conversion centres have been established, compared to the initial seven.
He said investment in the sector has exceeded $175 million, with 12 new mother stations commissioned and 75 more under construction.
Technician training is being ramped up, with 40 new technicians trained weekly. Over 34,000 conversion kits have been ordered, with more than half already distributed.
He said vehicle conversions are taking place at 53 centres in eight states.
He said the centres would be expanded to all the 36 states and the FCT.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, test driving one of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses donated to labour unions and the student union body in Nigeria, on Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Some of the 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses donated by the Federal Government to labour unions and the student association in the country.
Second from L-R: The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; the Secretary General and Chief Executive of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Nuhu Toro; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; and the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Lucky Emonefe, at the handover ceremony of 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of labour unions and NANS by the Federal
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Prof. Isa Ali Pantami has revealed that despite the federal government’s substantial funding for security, only a small portion reaches soldiers on the battlefield. He made this statement during the Young Professionals Colloquium in Katsina State, while discussing the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage and issues contributing to insecurity.
Pantami highlighted that the primary issue with Nigeria’s security challenges is not the lack of intelligence gathering but rather the failure to act on the intelligence that has been collected. He stressed that most of the federal government’s security budget remains with top officials, leaving very little for the soldiers facing the dangers on the frontline.
He pointed out that sending soldiers into battle without proper life insurance or adequate death benefits demoralizes them. Pantami added that soldiers know their families’ futures may not be secure if they die in service, which discourages them from fully committing to the fight against terrorists and kidnappers.
Pantami emphasized that Nigeria’s security challenges will persist unless the government establishes mechanisms to ensure that more security budget reaches frontline soldiers and takes care of their families. He urged the government to put in place systems that guarantee proper support for soldiers’ families if they lose their lives in the line of duty.
He explained, “The government is spending huge amounts on security. Unfortunately, a very small percentage reaches our security officers on the battlefield. Most of it stays at the top. You ask a soldier to fight terrorists, but if he dies, his death benefit is less than 10 million naira, while he might have many children. Who can risk their life for that?”
Pantami concluded by calling for a system where soldiers on the battlefield receive proper compensation. If they die, the government takes responsibility for their families’ welfare, ensuring their children’s education or success in business.
He said, “We must work on the system to ensure that what is budgeted reaches those on the battlefield. They should be the highest earners in Nigeria, and their families must be cared for if they sacrifice their lives for the country.”
The senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has expressed his frustration over the pervasive corruption in Nigeria, noting that those who steal public funds are often celebrated.
Speaking to journalists in Kano on Sunday, Ndume voiced his concerns, highlighting the nation’s lack of effective laws to combat corruption.
He stated, “Our major challenge in this country is corruption. Up till now, we have no law that can proactively or reactively address the issue of corruption in the country.
“If you see somebody in our system, especially in politics or government and he is not corrupt, then he is lucky to be God-fearing. Otherwise, it is only in Nigeria that you steal money and you walk freely and you are celebrated.”
Ndume explained how, in many cases, individuals who gain sudden wealth are not questioned about its source.
“If you come into an area like this, people would start lobbying you and prostrate before you even when they know that the money was stolen.
“It is only in this country that somebody had no money yesterday or last week, but the following week he buys 10 cars; buys jets and his brothers would fly with him, his mother would fly with him, his uncle would fly with him, and they would say Allah has blessed our son,” he remarked.
The senator also revealed his efforts to pass legislation targeting unexplained wealth in Nigeria, which were unsuccessful. He recalled approaching a former head of state to support an executive bill on the matter, only to be turned down.
“Up till now, there is no law on unexplained wealth Act in Nigeria and there is no Executive Order on it,” Ndume added.
In addition to corruption, Ndume also raised concerns about the growing hunger crisis in the country.
He urged for greater investment in agriculture, pointing out that Nigeria has vast arable land that remains underutilized.
“There is hunger in the land and up till now we have not cultivated up to five per cent of our land, Nigeria is blessed with massive arable land,” the senator stressed.